EP1209423B1 - Ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies - Google Patents

Ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1209423B1
EP1209423B1 EP01126845A EP01126845A EP1209423B1 EP 1209423 B1 EP1209423 B1 EP 1209423B1 EP 01126845 A EP01126845 A EP 01126845A EP 01126845 A EP01126845 A EP 01126845A EP 1209423 B1 EP1209423 B1 EP 1209423B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ventilation grille
ribs
base plates
elevated floor
ventilation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01126845A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1209423A1 (en
Inventor
Eric Peter Isaac
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Uniflair International SA Luxembourg
Original Assignee
Uniflair International SA Luxembourg
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uniflair International SA Luxembourg filed Critical Uniflair International SA Luxembourg
Publication of EP1209423A1 publication Critical patent/EP1209423A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1209423B1 publication Critical patent/EP1209423B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
    • E04F15/02405—Floor panels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
    • F24F13/082—Grilles, registers or guards

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies.
  • Ventilation grilles are integrated in elevated floor assemblies as air in- or outlets.
  • they are generally rectangular, with a longitudinal edge having the same length than a floor panel. They comprise longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between two outer ribs.
  • Two flat base plates transversely extend on the shorter edges of the ventilation grille between the outer ribs. These base plates have an adjustable foot fixed to each their ends for supporting the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor.
  • These height adjustment feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness.
  • US-4825603 is shown one example of ventilation grille with vertical ribs.
  • Ventilation grilles integrated in elevated floor assemblies are their ability to resist to floor travelling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage. While the longitudinal ribs do provide a good longitudinal rigidity, transverse rigidity of known ventilation grilles is generally insufficient.
  • the object of the present invention is hence to provide a ventilation grille for mounting in an elevated floor assembly, which has good longitudinal and good transverse rigidity.
  • a ventilation grille is defined in claim 1.
  • the present invention provides a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib, at least two base plates transversely extending between the first and second outer ribs and an adjustable foot fixed to each end of the base plates for supporting the ventilation grille on a support structure.
  • the transverse base plates include a reinforcement flange extending downwardly and transversely to the ribs. Due to their vertical arrangement, the longitudinal ribs give the ventilation grille good longitudinal rigidity. Similarly, due to its vertical arrangement, the reinforcement flange gives the ventilation grille good transversal rigidity.
  • the ventilation grille hence has good longitudinal and transverse rigidity, thus enabling the ventilation grille to resist to floor traveling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage.
  • the base plates are advantageously made of folded sheet metal and the reinforcement flange are e.g. formed by folding one edge downwardly. This means that the base plates can be produced very cheaply. For increased rigidity, the reinforcement flange can be double-backed.
  • the base plate preferably comprises a fixing flange extending upwardly and parallel to the ribs.
  • the fixing flange enable the base plates to be secured to the outer ribs.
  • the adjustable feet are preferably adjustment screws, which allow an quick and easy height adjustment of the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. These adjustable feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness.
  • Fig.1 and Fig.2 show a longitudinal, resp. transversal, side view of a ventilation grille 10. The ventilation grille is best described by referring to both these figures.
  • Fig.2 is a cut along line A-A of Fig.1 and Fig.1 is a cut along line B-B of Fig.2.
  • the ventilation grille 10 has several longitudinal ribs 12 including two outer ribs 14, 16.
  • the ribs 12, 14, 16 are arranged vertically and parallel to each other and are interconnected by means of transversal rods 18.
  • the ends of the ribs 12, 14, 16 rest on a mounting frame 20 for mounting the ventilation grille 10 on a support structure of an elevated floor assembly.
  • the mounting frame 20 can be more clearly seen on Fig.3. It comprises a base plate 22 made of folded sheet metal. One edge of the base plate 22 is folded downwardly and forms a reinforcement flange 24. For further rigidity, the reinforcement flange 24 is double-backed. At each of its ends, the mounting frame 20 comprises a fixing flange 26 for securing the mounting frame 20 to the outer ribs 14, 16. Securing of the fixing flange 26 to an outer rib 14, 16 can be achieved by any fixing means, e.g. by a screw through a bore 28. At each end of the base plate 22, a bore 30 is arranged for receiving an adjustment screw 32. By means of the adjustment screws 32, the ventilation grille 10 can be adjusted in height on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly.
  • the ribs 12, 14, 18, give the ventilation grille 10 good longitudinal rigidity due to their vertical arrangement. Good transversal rigidity is achieved by the reinforcement flange 24 of the mounting frame 20.

Abstract

A ventilation grille (10) for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising longitudinal ribs (12) arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib (14, 16), at least two base plates (22) transversely extending between the first and second outer ribs (14, 16) and an adjustable foot (32) fixed to each end of the base plates (22) for supporting the ventilation grille (10) on a support structure. According to an important aspect of the invention, the transverse base plates (22) include a reinforcement flange (24) extending downwardly and transversely to the ribs (12, 14, 16). <IMAGE>

Description

  • The present invention generally relates to a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies.
  • Ventilation grilles are integrated in elevated floor assemblies as air in- or outlets. For easy integration of such ventilation grilles in elevated floors, they are generally rectangular, with a longitudinal edge having the same length than a floor panel. They comprise longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between two outer ribs. Two flat base plates transversely extend on the shorter edges of the ventilation grille between the outer ribs. These base plates have an adjustable foot fixed to each their ends for supporting the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor. These height adjustment feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness. In US-4825603 is shown one example of ventilation grille with vertical ribs.
  • An important aspect of such ventilation grilles integrated in elevated floor assemblies is their ability to resist to floor travelling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage. While the longitudinal ribs do provide a good longitudinal rigidity, transverse rigidity of known ventilation grilles is generally insufficient.
  • The object of the present invention is hence to provide a ventilation grille for mounting in an elevated floor assembly, which has good longitudinal and good transverse rigidity. Such a ventilation grille is defined in claim 1.
  • In order to overcome the abovementioned problems, the present invention provides a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib, at least two base plates transversely extending between the first and second outer ribs and an adjustable foot fixed to each end of the base plates for supporting the ventilation grille on a support structure. According to an important aspect of the invention, the transverse base plates include a reinforcement flange extending downwardly and transversely to the ribs. Due to their vertical arrangement, the longitudinal ribs give the ventilation grille good longitudinal rigidity. Similarly, due to its vertical arrangement, the reinforcement flange gives the ventilation grille good transversal rigidity. The ventilation grille hence has good longitudinal and transverse rigidity, thus enabling the ventilation grille to resist to floor traveling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage.
  • The base plates are advantageously made of folded sheet metal and the reinforcement flange are e.g. formed by folding one edge downwardly. This means that the base plates can be produced very cheaply. For increased rigidity, the reinforcement flange can be double-backed.
  • At each of its ends, the base plate preferably comprises a fixing flange extending upwardly and parallel to the ribs. The fixing flange enable the base plates to be secured to the outer ribs.
  • The adjustable feet are preferably adjustment screws, which allow an quick and easy height adjustment of the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. These adjustable feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness.
  • The present invention will be more apparent from the following description of a not limiting embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
  • Fig.1 is a longitudinal section through a ventilation grille according to the invention;
  • Fig.2 is a transverse section through the same ventilation grille; and
  • Fig.3 is a perspective view of a mounting frame.
  • Fig.1 and Fig.2 show a longitudinal, resp. transversal, side view of a ventilation grille 10. The ventilation grille is best described by referring to both these figures. Fig.2 is a cut along line A-A of Fig.1 and Fig.1 is a cut along line B-B of Fig.2.
  • The ventilation grille 10 has several longitudinal ribs 12 including two outer ribs 14, 16. The ribs 12, 14, 16 are arranged vertically and parallel to each other and are interconnected by means of transversal rods 18. The ends of the ribs 12, 14, 16 rest on a mounting frame 20 for mounting the ventilation grille 10 on a support structure of an elevated floor assembly.
  • The mounting frame 20 can be more clearly seen on Fig.3. It comprises a base plate 22 made of folded sheet metal. One edge of the base plate 22 is folded downwardly and forms a reinforcement flange 24. For further rigidity, the reinforcement flange 24 is double-backed. At each of its ends, the mounting frame 20 comprises a fixing flange 26 for securing the mounting frame 20 to the outer ribs 14, 16. Securing of the fixing flange 26 to an outer rib 14, 16 can be achieved by any fixing means, e.g. by a screw through a bore 28. At each end of the base plate 22, a bore 30 is arranged for receiving an adjustment screw 32. By means of the adjustment screws 32, the ventilation grille 10 can be adjusted in height on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. Four adjustment screws 32, one in each corner of the ventilation grille 10, act as support feet for supporting the ventilation grille 10 on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. The ribs 12, 14, 18, give the ventilation grille 10 good longitudinal rigidity due to their vertical arrangement. Good transversal rigidity is achieved by the reinforcement flange 24 of the mounting frame 20.

Claims (5)

  1. A ventilation grille (10) for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising:
    longitudinal ribs (12) arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib (14, 16);
    at least two base plates (22) transversely extending between said first and second outer ribs (14, 16), and
    an adjustable foot (32) fixed to each end of said base plates (22) for supporting said ventilation grille (10) on a support structure;
    characterised in that
    said transverse base plates (22) include a reinforcement flange (24) extending downwardly and transversely to said ribs (12, 14, 18).
  2. Ventilation grille (10) according to claim 1, wherein said base plates (22) are made of folded sheet metal, said reinforcement flange (24) being formed by folding one edge downwardly.
  3. Ventilation grille (10) according to claim 2, wherein said reinforcement flange (24) is double-backed.
  4. Ventilation grille (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said base plate (22) comprises a fixing flange (26) at each of its ends for fixing it to the outer ribs (14, 16), said fixing flanges (26) extending upwardly and parallel to said outer ribs (14, 16).
  5. Ventilation grille (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said adjustable feet (32) are adjustment screws.
EP01126845A 2000-11-22 2001-11-12 Ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies Expired - Lifetime EP1209423B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU90679 2000-11-22
LU90679A LU90679B1 (en) 2000-11-22 2000-11-22 Ventillation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1209423A1 EP1209423A1 (en) 2002-05-29
EP1209423B1 true EP1209423B1 (en) 2004-10-13

Family

ID=19731948

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01126845A Expired - Lifetime EP1209423B1 (en) 2000-11-22 2001-11-12 Ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1209423B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE279693T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60106371T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2228732T3 (en)
LU (1) LU90679B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2493376A (en) * 2011-08-03 2013-02-06 4Energy Ltd Removable vent for use in underfloor ventilation systems

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7510870A (en) * 1974-10-31 1976-05-04 Mera Zsm Zaklady Systemow Mini VENTILATION PLATE FOR A FOLDABLE WALKWAY.
US4825603A (en) * 1987-03-23 1989-05-02 Farley, Inc. Elevated floor plate
JP2979042B2 (en) * 1992-01-11 1999-11-15 東急建設株式会社 Floor blowing air conditioning unit
US5345779A (en) * 1993-04-23 1994-09-13 Liebert Corporation Modular floor sub-structure for the operational support of computer systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60106371T2 (en) 2006-02-16
ATE279693T1 (en) 2004-10-15
DE60106371D1 (en) 2004-11-18
EP1209423A1 (en) 2002-05-29
ES2228732T3 (en) 2005-04-16
LU90679B1 (en) 2002-05-23

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